Precautions were taken at the airport yesterday afternoon after the pilot of an incoming Lufthansa flight had a smoke alert in the hold, which turned out to be a false alarm.

The smoke detection indicator in the cockpit went off soon after the Airbus A321 landed at Malta International Airport just before 4pm, an airline spokesman said.

The captain informed the air traffic control tower and fire engines were deployed as a precaution, although no fire was noted. The aircraft remained on the runway for about 20 minutes until passengers disembarked via mobile stairs and the plane was taken to Lufthansa Tecknik to be inspected.

The outgoing flight to Frankfurt was cancelled, according to the MIA website.

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